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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Bulleit Bourbon
Comparing Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Bulleit Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a blender-built, spice-driven bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$25 – $32 ~$42 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/5 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).